Urine Ketone Body Screening (Qualitative)
This test checks for the presence of ketone bodies in your urine, which can indicate your body is using fat as an energy source instead of glucose. Ketones may appear when you have diabetes, fasting, or certain dietary conditions.
["Ketones in urine can signal metabolic shifts needing medical attention."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 22702-5
- Short code
- Ketones Ur Strip-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Ketones Ur Strip-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- test-strip
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
When Ketones Might Be Detected Normally
Ketones can appear in urine under certain everyday circumstances, such as during prolonged fasting, intense exercise, or when following a very low-carbohydrate diet. These levels are usually temporary and not cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms.
Conditions That May Require Further Evaluation
If ketones are detected in your urine, especially if you have symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue, it may warrant further medical evaluation. Conditions like diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) or uncontrolled metabolic disorders can lead to elevated ketone levels.
What to Expect During the Test
This test involves collecting a small sample of your urine. You’ll use a special test strip that changes color if ketones are present. The results are usually available immediately after urinating on the strip.
How the Results Are Interpreted
The test strip results are qualitative, meaning they only tell you if ketones are present or not. Positive results may prompt your healthcare provider to discuss additional testing or monitoring, especially if you have known risk factors or symptoms.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Detecting ketones in urine helps identify potential metabolic imbalances that could affect your health. High levels can signal conditions requiring prompt medical attention, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious complication of diabetes) or other metabolic disorders. Early detection can help prevent complications and guide appropriate treatment.
Short name
Urine Ketones (Qualitative)
Frequently asked questions
Why might my urine test for ketones come back positive when I don’t have diabetes?
What should I do if my urine ketone test is positive?
Can I prevent ketone levels from appearing in my urine?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy